Parents -- How would you like your kids to go to school....

[David]

...go to school under THESE conditions?

Today... the Unified School District 501 (Topeka) Superintendent Tony Sawyer said today that next Tuesday, the last say before break, the elementery school kids cannot have the Christmas parties, no movies, no candy, no fun. He states "This hour and a half can be used to learn to read a book, or teach the kids something else."

When I went to school... these were fun times. Now this superintendent from New York City changes it all. Next year, the high school study hall may be taken away because of "the un-usefullness" of this time. Give me a break!

What does everyone else think about this?

-David

[OtherHD]

Sounds like your superintendent has a ruler stuck up his butt. No parties? Give me a break. Holiday parties have always been a part of elementary school for me and many many other kids. Why does he want to do away with it?

[chadtm80]

Where did you see this story at? Something tells me it might not be "Exactly" as explained above.. But the fact is taht school is there for Learning and education.. You are there to learn. Why should we pay for everyone to be there if the kids are not going to do anything educational.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

[blizzard]

Where did you see this story at? Something tells me it might not be "Exactly" as explained above.. But the fact is taht school is there for Learning and education.. You are there to learn. Why should we pay for everyone to be there if the kids are not going to do anything educational.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

Interacting such as this isn't learning? It is learning interpersonal skills in a setting that is conducive to a well rounded Childhood. IMO

This is just plain ridiculous. It figures that he comes from a large city to one such as Topeka and proceeds to screw things all up.

[chadtm80]

Firstly I said first where is this coming from? Might not be true at all.. Still waiting to see the full story... and Yes Blizzard interaction is important.. Kids interact at school every day though.. Dont need to throw a party in order to get them to interact.. But bashing a guy for not having a "Party" at school is just beyone me.. My child will be going to school for an education.. I just cant get upset over a Superintendent deciding not to throw a christmas party at school

[blizzard]

Children learn better when they can have fun doing it. I agree that school needs to be a place for education, but what is and hour and a half out of a year for a party? Besides, this same school probably had a Halloween party, Hmmmm a party for a holiday(?) that is more satanic in its roots than any other day, but will not let Christmas into the schools.

I am at a loss at that one.

[David]

Full Story: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3752977/

[chadtm80]

Firstly again. I did NOT say learning shouldnt be fun.. I do think it should be.. I learned the most from the Teachers that made the "Learning process" fun.. Secondly no one said he wasnt allowing it in because it is Christmas, and no one said they had a party for Halloween.. This is why I said I would like to see the entire scoop on this story, before people just start assuming From the way David Posted it, I guess the "day" has already come and gone, seeing as the post says Next tuesday the day before they get break.. I would think that was talking about this Tuesday past?? Dosent the break start before Christmas? Or our they talking about a different break??

[David]

We get off next Tuesday.. the 23rd.

[chadtm80]

We get off next Tuesday.. the 23rd.

DUH CHAD!!! Look at a calendar.. LOL sorry.. Guess I was thrown off because the Kids last day was Today here..


I did just read the full article, and I still see no "Real" problem with it.. He isnt trying to be a grinch.. He is trying to up hold his duties of his Job..

[blizzard]

Firstly again. I did NOT say learning shouldnt be fun.. I do think it should be.. I learned the most from the Teachers that made the "Learning process" fun.. Secondly no one said he wasnt allowing it in because it is Christmas, and no one said they had a party for Halloween.. This is why I said I would like to see the entire scoop on this story, before people just start assuming From the way David Posted it, I guess the "day" has already come and gone, seeing as the post says Next tuesday the day before they get break.. I would think that was talking about this Tuesday past?? Dosent the break start before Christmas? Or our they talking about a different break??

It was stated in David's post that it was for a Christmas party.

[chadtm80]

Right, but it wasnt stated that they were not allowed to do it just becuase it was for "Christmas", nor did it say they were allowed to do one for Halloween.. Or that they had one at all.. again just wanted the whole story before entertaining accusations of him being anti Christmas, but Pro Satanic (Halloween)

[David]

The point here us that he is banning the real "fun". You can't learn and have fun at the same time... that's pretty hard to get through a 2nd graders mind. They see a movie and no school work fun. Doing 2+3=5, being 5 is the "M" in the hidden sentence "Merry Christmas" isn't that [i]fun.]/i]

[chadtm80]

You can't learn and have fun at the same time...

David I can assure that that just is not true..

that's pretty hard to get through a 2nd graders mind. They see a movie and no school work fun

Exactly and it is the "Teachers, Principal, and SI's job to worry about making the learning fun and enjoyable... And from reading that article that is exactly what he is saying

[MScoast]

Chad, you might feel differently when Dustin is in elementary school. Seeing the joy in your childs eyes when he can't wait for his class christmas party. It is good for them...and they enjoy it so much!

I didn't read the article...but the fact of the matter is, one hour out of the entire school year for a child to enjoy celebrating something with their class mates WILL NOT harm his/her education in the least!

[chadtm80]

Your Right MS I might.. And I'm not saying they shouldnt have the party.. Im just saying that it dosent upset me that he said not to party.. But again you are right.. I might definatly see it in a different light once I walk that mile myself..

[David]

Yep... here's the difference between his theory and what we use to do.

Would you rather have you kid come home with a bag of candy and a big smile on their face.. "Mom/Dad, I had a fun day at school today!"

or

Your kid walks slowly to your car.. "Hi mom/dad. How was your day? We did work all day.. couldn't have a party this year. "

That's the difference.

[sunnyday]

From a teacher's point of view, no Christmas party sounds like Scrooge behavior to me!

[blizzard]

From a teacher's point of view, no Christmas party sounds like Scrooge behavior to me!

Thanks sunnyday. Your opinion on this matter carries alot of weight with me.

[RNS]

...go to school under THESE conditions?

Today... the Unified School District 501 (Topeka) Superintendent Tony Sawyer said today that next Tuesday, the last say before break, the elementery school kids cannot have the Christmas parties, no movies, no candy, no fun. He states "This hour and a half can be used to learn to read a book, or teach the kids something else."

When I went to school... these were fun times. Now this superintendent from New York City changes it all. Next year, the high school study hall may be taken away because of "the un-usefullness" of this time. Give me a break!

What does everyone else think about this?

-David

I think it takes the fun out of the holidays for the kids...i remember we had christmas parties at my elementary school every year...(but were talking about late 1980s and very early 1990s here...when Xmas and other holiday parties were STILL acceptable in our now highly descriminatory world). In HS I wasn/t a model student by any means...and rather backwards at that...(i would want to come to school for math and physics but desire to skip study hall...as well as much the rest of the day...lol).

it will be awhile before i have to deal with such issues directly again (as my daughter is only 4 months old)...however...im (and im sure many others will agree with me)...im glad i graduated when i did...because i would not like to be a teen growing up in todays world...with all of its Discriminatory practices...and the funny (sick) thing about it is that we cater so much to foreigners and their ideals that we push our traditions as americans to to the back burner in order to be Accommodating to them...at our own expense.

Its time to stand up for our rights and our traditions AS AMERICANS which have been practiced in this country since it was founded in 1776...dont push christmas out of the schools...because it might be offensive to others. While yes our diversity is our strength...we cannot push our traditional american values aside to appease others all the time...equal is fair...and fair is equal...with special emphasis on EQUAL. Don/t denounce christmas...while you push other foreign religious holidays on everyone...that folks IS unfair and IS Discriminatory.

Such a case is taking place in montgomery county PA...where a nativity scene was removed from a display...while other displays portraying Kwanzaa and honika (hope i got the spelling on that one right...lol) we left as is. Again...this is NOT fair...and NOT equal.

Dont get me wrong here --- I am a roman catholic (and by no means fanatical) though it does disturb me when the traditions which i was brought up with are dennounced...while other religious practicies are pushed on everyone.

Im not passing judgement on anyone or any group...just stating an opinion of mine. I have no problem with every group being represented equally and fiarly during the holidays...which IMO is the right thing to do but as i/ve said...when one group is descriminated against (even if it was not Catholicism)...i then DO have a problem with the individual(s) or organizations responsible for those actions.